Toothbrush and paste holder



1958 H. H. ROBINSON 2,845,646

TOOTHBRUSH AND PASTE HOLDER Filed July 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Herberf h. Robinson IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 5, 1958 H. H. ROBINSON TOOTHBRUSH AND PASTE HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi 2d July 7, 1955 "m a H H m @m H w M i United States Patent TOOTHBRUSH AND PASTE HOLDER Herbert H. Robinson, New Orleans, La.

Application July 7, 1955, Serial No. 520,481

1 Claim. (Cl. 15-138) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in dentifrice devices, and more specifically to an improved toothbrush.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved combined toothbrush and tooth paste dispenser which is so constructed whereby there is provided means for storing tooth paste to be dispensed on the bristles of the toothbrush within the handle of such toothbrush.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved combined toothbrush and tooth paste dispenser of the type wherein tooth paste is stored within the handle of a toothbrush, there being a dispensing spout connected to the handle for directly dispensing tooth paste from within the handle onto the bristles of the head of the toothbrush.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved combined toothbrush and tooth paste dispenser, the toothbrush having a handle in which tooth paste to be dispensed is stored, and there being a delivery spout, the delivery spout actuating a valve controlling the flow of tooth paste, whereby tooth paste may be dispensed only when the dispensing spout is in a position for dispensing the tooth paste upon the bristles of the head the toothbrush.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved combined toothbrush and tooth paste dispenser, the toothbrush including a handle which is hollow for the reception of a tube of tooth paste, there being provided means within the handle for simultaneously splitting and dispensing tooth paste from within a tube carried by the handle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the combined toothbrush and paste dispenser which is the subject of this invention, and shows the general details thereof;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush and paste dispenser of Figure 1 with a housing portion thereof being shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the other details of the toothbrush and paste dispenser;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure l and shows the specific details of the toothbrush and paste dispenser, and intermediate portion of the handle of the toothbrush being broken away, and also the position of means for dispensing tooth paste being shown in dotted lines, the dispensing spout being shown in operative position by doted lines, and a forward end of the brush head being broken away;

Figure 4 is anenlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 3 and shows the specific details of the handle of the toothbrush and the means for ice dispensing tooth paste from a tooth paste tube disposed therein;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the piston carried by the handle for dispensing tooth paste; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a special type of tooth paste tube intended for use with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the combined toothbrush and paste dispenser, which is the subject of this invention, is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The combined toothbrush and paste dispenser 10 includes a handle, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12, a neck portion, which is referred to anin general by the reference numeral 14, and a brush head, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 16.

Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that the handle 12 is in the form of an elongated tubular member 18 which is formed of sheet material and so configurated so as to be provided with external threads 20. The forward end of the tubular member is connected to a ring 24 which is provided with external threads 26.

The neck portion 14 includes a rear nut member 28 which is provided with internal threads 30, the threads 30 meshing with the threads 26 to secure the neck portion 14 to the handle 12. The neck portion 14 includes an intermediate tapered part 32 which terminates in a pair of spaced parallel parts 34. The parts 34 terminate in a base 36 which is a part of the head 16. Extending upwardly from the base 36 is a plurality of bristles 38.

In order that tooth paste may be conveniently dispensed upon the bristles 38, the neck portion 14 is provided with an axial bore 40. The rear part of the bore 40 opens into an enlarged counterbore 42 which is provided with internal threads 44.

The forward end of the bore 40 opens into a generally semicylindrical valve seat 46 in which there is mounted for pivotal movement a generally cylindrical valve member 48. Connected to the valve member 48 for both actuating the same and for dispensing paste passing therethrough is an elongated dispensing spout 50. The dispensing spout 50 terminates in a dispensing tip 52 that includes a passage 54 therethrough. The passage 54 is commuicated with a passage 56 in the valve member 48.

Normally, the dispensing spout 50 is seated in a recessed seat 58 formed in the forward part of the neck portion 14 and the rear part of the base 36. At this time, the bore 56 is out of alignment with the bore 40 and tooth paste cannot be dispensed. By swinging the dispensing spout 50 upwardly to the dotted line position of Figure 3, the dispensing tip 52 can be disposed in overlying relation with respect to the bristles 38 so that tooth paste may be dispensed on the bristles 38. At this time, the bore 56 has swung into alignment with the bore 40 and tooth paste may be dispensed from within the handle 12.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a tooth paste tube which is referred to in general by'the reference numeral 60. The tooth paste tube 60 includes an elongated body member 62 which is preferably formed of a foil type metal, One end of the tooth paste tube 60' includes an externally threaded neck 64. The opposite end of the tube 62 is closed by a circular plug 66.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a piston which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 68. The piston 68 includes a central disk 70 which has extending outwardly therefrom in circumferentially opposite directions, radiating guide members 72. The guide members 72 are provided with forwardly projecting knives 74.

The housing 18 of the handle 12 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending slots, as is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the slots being referred to by 3 the" reference minerals 76'. Disposed in the slots 76 are the guide members 72. Thread'eal'y engaged on the exterior of the housing 18 in engagement with the threads 20 is a follower nut 78. The follower nut 78 engages the guide mariners 72 as the piston 68 to urge the iston 68 longitudinally of the handle 12.

When it is desired to dispense teeth paste 'upon the bristles 3s, thedisp'ensing spent 5 0 'is tens dotted line position ef Fign're 3'. v The follower nut 78 is then rotated (in the sensing 18 to advance the same longitfidinally thereof. This sieves the piston 63 longitudinall'y thereof with the iesult that the knives 74 engage the end o'f the tube 62 and eerfiine'nee splitting the same. The disk 70 en ages the disli 66 and forces the same through the split portion 6f the tube" 62. This process is best illustrated by dotted lines ii Figure 3.

Referring now to Fig es 1 and 21in particular, it will be seen that were is provided a crank a'rifi 80. The crank arm 80 is connected to are verve member 48 and may be utiliiedto facilitate the rotation thereof. This will also facilitate the pivoting or the dispensing spout 50 between its operative position and its inoperative position.

In order that the bristles 38 ma be retained in a sterilized condition, there is provided a housing 82. The housing 82 is of a size whereby it may be slipped over the brush h ad 16 and the neck poition 14. The housing 82 is of a diameter to fr'ictionally fit over the nut part '28 of the neck portion 14.

The-reregeirig is Considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all s'liitabl modifications and equivatents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A combined toothbrush and paste holder comprising a tubular handle for receiving tooth paste, said handle having a neck portion, a brush head carried by said neck portion, a paste passage in said neck portion communicated with the interior of said handle, a dispensing spout pivotaiiy connected to said neck portion, a valve positionable between said neck portion and said v spout, said spout being connected to s aid valve for actuating the same, a recessed seat for-med in said neck portion and extending into said brush head, said brush head including upwardly projecting bristles, said recessed seat terminating between at least two spaced bristles, said dispensing spout having a dispensing end, said dispensing spout being normallyseated in said seat with said valve in a closed position and said dispensing end being disposed between said two bristles and protected thereby, said spout being pivotal to a valve opening position overlying said brush head for dispensing paste onto others of said bristles.

References (lited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

